Humor Publication Pokes Fun at Lawyers with Claimed ABA Recall

A humor publication is running a tongue-in-cheek radio report claiming the ABA has recalled 230,000 “downer” lawyers.

The report on "Onion Radio News" says ABA President William H. Neukom issued the “massive nationwide recall” due to a “grave danger to the general public and judicial system.” Between April 2002 and July 2006, the report says, “an unspecified number of so-called downer lawyers have been mistakenly licensed to practice law in several states.”

Clients are being advised to avoid lawyers who may have consumed brains or spinal tissues of other litigants, the Onion says.

According to the Onion, the recall is the largest since the 1986 outbreak of Mad Barrister Disease in Britain. Other Radio News headlines include: “Ghost of Ted Knight Signs On as New Voice of God” and “Intern Sent to Testify Before Congress for the Experience.”

Should lawyers be offended about the satire? Maybe H. Thomas Wells Jr. should be. He took over as ABA president last August.